Derivatives of saturated and unsaturated androstane-diols-(3:17)



radicali Patented Oct. 23, 1945 PATENT OFFICE DERIVATIVES OF SATURATED AND UNSAT- URATED ANDROSTANE-DIOLS- (3 :17)

Leopold Ruzicka, Zurich, and Albert Wettstein,

Basel, Switzerland, assignors to Ciba Pharmaceutical Products N. J a corporation of Incorporated, Summit, New Jersey No Drawing. Application August 16, 1937, Serial No. 159,432, now Patent No. 2,308,834, dated January 19, 1943, which is a division of application Serial No. 85,437, June 15, 1936, now Patent No. 2,308,833, dat

ed January 19, 1943. Di-

vided and this application November 9, 1942,

Serial No. 465,091. 1935 In Switzerland June 18,

6 Claims. (01. 260397.5)

Isomeric oxyketones of the saturated or unsaturated androstane series, whose hydroxyl and keto-groups in comparison with the compounds of the androsterone series are interchanged, are

1 not yet known.

This invention is based on the observation that such new oxy-ketones and their esters are obtainable by partially saponifying a di-ester of a diol of the type of the saturated or unsaturated androstane-diols-(Ilzfl), oxidizing the free carbinol-group (in 3-position) thus produced (if ifia-ble, whilst that in l7-position is esterified by an acid radical which is saponifiable with comparative difficulty. One can also start from a free diol, partially esterify this and oxidise the resulting diol, mono-esterified in l7-position, in the manner described above, advantageously after purification.

The same oxyketone can be produced by subjecting the free diol, if desired with temporary protection of double bonds present, directly to a partial oxidation and separating from the reaction product the compound which has undergone oxidation at the 3-position.

' Finally, it is also possible to obtain these new oxyketones by subjecting to a partial reduction a diketone of the type of the androstane-dione- (3:17) and separating from the reduction product the 3-keto-l7-oxy-compound.

The carbinol-groupin 3-position can also be oxidized to a keto-group by the action of a dehydrogenating agent.

The various methods may be illustrated by the following formulae, in which A01 and A02 mean the same or different acyl radicals and R represents hydrogen or a monovalent hydrocarbon CH: R OH: R

---o-Ac, -'on 11:40 H20 V H I Ac|O HO I II Partial saponiflcation Partial esterilflcatlon OH; R OH; 'R OAca -0-A0: 15 ET I the I o 'dati o in on or o dehydrogenation II 7' IV Esterificatlon Saponilication CHI R -OH H16 VII Partial oxidation I Partial or dehydrogenation R reduction OH; R CH:

0 HO I 46 v VI As suitable oxidizing agents for converting III into IV or for converting V into VII there may be used, for example, a hexavalent chromium compound such as chromic acid in glacial acetic acid; furthermore copper oxide and the like. In the oxidation of an unsaturated diol or its ester to an oxyketone or its ester the carbon double linkage is advantageously protected from the action of the oxidizing agent, for example by the attachment of halogen or hydrogen halide; after oxidationthe halogen is then again removed, for example by treatment with zinc in glacial acetic acid or benzene, with catalytically activated hydrogen or with an alkali iodide, of the hydrogen halide is again removed by treatment with an alkaline agent such as a tertiary base. The conversion of the free diols into 3-keto-l'7-oxy-compounds by oxidation of the 3-carbino1-group proceeds in a particularly advantageous manner in cases in which the nuclear carbon atom in 17- position is linked to a hydrocarbon radical.

When a mixed di-ester is to be subjected to partial saponification there are advantageously used those which contain in 3-position the radical of a lower fatty acid such as acetic acid orformic acid, and in l'l-position the radical of a higher fatty acid such as valeric acid, or a carbamic acid, benzoic acid, a toluic acid, hexahydrobenzoic acid, or a hydrohalogen acid.

The aforesaid mixed di-esters are obtained by causing to act on a 3-mono-ester of a diol of the type of the saturated or unsaturated androstane diols an acylating agent containing an acid radical different from that already present in the molecule of the mono-ester.

The partial saponification may be conducted, for example, in methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, in a higher alcohol, in dioxane, acetone or the like. If an alcohol is used re-esterification generally occurs in addition to the actual saponification, so that the quantity of alkali solution consumed is frequently considerably less than the calculated quantity. One is therefore not restricted to the use of the calculated quantity of alkali, but may use a larger or a smaller quantity. By this means, as well as by the concentration of the al kali solution and the temperature, the duration of the reaction may be favorably influenced.

Suitable acylating agents for converting II into III and for converting VII into IV are, for instance, acids, acid halides and acid anhydrides, for example benzoic acid, acetic acid, formic acid, benzoyl chloride, acetyl chloride, acetic anhydride and the like, if required in the presence of an acid binding agentsuch as a tertiary base or an alkali. Particularly when an acid halide or an acid anhydride is used there is advantageously taken for the partial esterification of II only a quantity of acylating agent suflicient for esterifying one hydroxyl-group.

In the partial reduction of VI the hydrogenation is interrupted when there has been absorbed a quantity of hydrogen sufficing for the reduction of one carbonyl-group.

For the dehydrogenation of the carbinol-group to the keto-group there may be used with advantage any of the usual dehydrogenating agents, for instance selenium, sulfur, or a metallic catalyst belonging to the group of hydrogenating or dehydrogenating catalysts such as copper, platinum, palladium, gold, nickel and the like, if desired in the presence of a hydrogen acceptor such as naphthalene, phenol, cinnamic acid, fumaric acid or the like.

It is easily possible to isolate in a pure form the oxyketone produced either by direct crystallization or by preparing a suitable derivative. Such as digitonine especially when the steric arrangement of the hydroxyl-group in 3-position corresponds with that of cholesterol.

Among the diols of the type of the saturated or unsaturated androstane-diols-(3:17) there are to be understood not only the stereo-isomeric androstane-diols in question themselves, but also their nuclear substitution products, for example the compounds substituted in 17-position by a hydrocarbon radical such as an alkyl-, aralkylor aryl-group; so also the scope of the 3:17-andros- 'tane-diones extends also to the isomeric 3:17-

aetiocholane-diones. The following diols, for example, are suitable parent materials for the invention: the androstane-diols-(3:17)', the A or A =-androstene-diols-(3:17), the ll-methylor 17-ethyl-androstane-diols-( 3 17) the l'l-methylor 1'7-ethyl-androstene-diols-(3:17), in which in each case the carbinol-groups in both 3- and 17- positions may be in cis-, or epi-, or in transposition. Suitable parent materials of the dimeseries are among others the androstane-dione- (3:17), the A -androstene-dione-(3:17) and the aetiocholane-dione- (3 17) The new oxy-ketones as Well as their esters have powerful effects on the combs of capons and also on the seminal vesicle.

The following examples illustrat the invention:

Example 1 3.76 grams of androstane-dio1-(3.17) -diacetate of the formula on; H

H I I oH3.oo.o

of melting point 127-128 C. are allowed to stand for 48 hours at room temperature in 1000 cc. of n/-methyl-alcoholic potash solution. After concentrating the solution, the 17-acetoxy-androstane-ol-(3), produced by the partial saponiflcation, is precipitated by addition of water, 111- tered, washed with water and dried in a vacuum over phosphorus pentoxide. It may be used without further purification for making androstaneol-(1'7) -one-(3). For this purpose the product is.

carbonate solution and water and evaporated. From the residue the acetate or androstane-ol- (17) 1-orie-(3) oi melting point'158.5-159.5 C. is isolated, preferably by means of thesparingly soluble semicarbazonawhich may be purified by recrystallization i'rom absolute alcohol. ing the semi-carbazoneior an hour in a mixture By heatoi. suliuric acid oi! '10 per cent. strength and alcohol (1 :2) it is directly saponifled to androstaneol-(1'D-one-(3) of the formula I OH: H

H1O H Byrecrystallization from hexane or dilute aloehol the latter may be purified. It forms colorlless ,crystals of melting 'point 182 C.

in like manner there may also be obtained the propionate of melting point 121-l22 C. or. the ,n-butyrate oi melting point 90.5-91.5 C.

Example 2 3.74 grams of A'='-androstene-diol-(3:17)-diacetate oi the formula 1 CH: H

hydroxyl groups are probably in trans-configuration, are allowed to stand at room temperature for 40. hours in 1000 cc. of methyl alcohol to which have been added previously 0.45 gram of potassium hydroxide. After neutralizing,

the solution is stronglyconcentrated in a vacuum, and then the crude A =-17-acetoxy-androstene-ol-(S), which has ,been produced by Partial saponification, is, precipitated by addition; of water, extracted with ether and' obtained strength andthe whole is allowed to stand overnight at room temperature. The whole is then poured into 1 liter oi. water, the. precipitated product is filtered and washed with much water. The brominated ketonej thus obtained is dis- [solved for the. purpose ofdebrominating it in 50 cc. of glacial acetic acid, and after addition of solution and water and then evaporated to yield a residue, from which A =-androstene-ol-(1'l)- one-(3) -acetate may be isolated by means of its semicarbazone, and after recrystallization from hexane inelts at 141 C. By saponification it may be converted into the free oxyketone, namely A -androstene-ol-(l7)-one-(3) of the formula CHI H BIO V which melts at 155 C. When using other esters,

there are obtained the corresponding keto esters in an analogous manner, for instance A. -an

drostene-ol-(17)-one-(3)-benzoate of meltin solvedinj30 cc. of acetic acid of per cent. a

20 grams, of zinc dust the whole is heated while vigorously shaking for 12 minutes on the boiling water-bath. There follow filtration through a glass filter, washing witha. little hot glacial acetic acid, precipitating the solution with water and extraction with ether. The ethereal solution is washed with dilute sodium. carbonate point 194-195 C.

which esters may be saponified, if desired.

The double linkage may be protected by chlo-, rine, for example, instead of bromine.

Example 3 1.87' grams of A =-3-trans-l'l-cis-androstrenediol-diacetate of the formula CH: H

-O.CO.CHI

of melting point 168 C. are dissolved in 370 cc. of methanol and the solution is mixed with a solution of 0.28 gram of potassium hydroxide in a small quantity of methanol. The whole is allowed -to stand at 15 C. for 36hours, whereupon it is exactly neutralized with dilute hydrochloric acid, and the solution is concentrated in a vacuum to 50 cc. It is then diluted with water and the reaction product is taken up in ether and the ethereal solution is dried and evaporated. By fractionally crystallizing the residue from hexane, the l'l-mono-acetate of A -3-trans-17-cis-androstrene-diol is obtained. This is dissolved in 30 cc. of glacial acetic acid and treated with the calculated quantity (1 mol) of bromine in glacial acetic acid. The bromine is immediately decolorized. There is then added a solution of 1 mol of chromic acid in acetic acid of 90 per cent. strength and the whole is allowed to stand overnight at room The reaction product is then pretemperature. cipitated by addition of water, filtered, debrominated by shaking in an alcoholic solution for 48 hours with zinc dust and finally purified one- (3) (17)-one-(3) of the formula of melting point a o-221 c.

A=-3-trans-17-cis-androstene-diol-diacetate is obtained by acetylation of A =-3-trans-17-cisandrostene-diol-3-acetate, which is itself formed together with 3-trans-17-trans-diol-3-acetate by hydrogenation of A 5 -trans-dehydroandrosterone-acetate.

Example4 2.31 grams of A -3-trans-l'l-trans-androstene-diol-3-acetate-17-benzoate of the formula H (J om.co.0

of melting point 1'78-180 C. are mixed with 500 cc. of methyl alcohol. The mixture is stirred for a long time (about 50 hours) at room temperature and there is added, gradually by drops, a methyl alcoholic solution of 0.3 gram of potassium hydroxide. After neutralization the whole is highly concentrated in a vacuum; the crude product is precipitated by the addition of water, extracted by means of ether and the ethereal solution is evaporated. The residue is crystallized from hexane, yielding brilliant needles of melting point 222-223 C. of the A -3-trans 17-transandrostene-diol-17-benzoate.

This mono-ester is dissolved in 50 cc. of glacial acetic acid and there is added, while cooling and in drops, the calculated proportion of a solution of bromine in glacial acetic acid. Finally, 0.5 gram of chromium trioxide dissolved in cc. of acetic acid of 90 per cent. strength is added in the cold and the whole is allowed to stand over night at room temperature, during which time the oxidation product in part crystallizes. The mass is then poured into water, the precipitated matter filtered and washed with much water. The brominated ketone thus obtained is debrominated by violent agitation with zinc dust in glacial acetic acid on the boiling water-bath. The mass is then filtered, washed and the solution precipitated by means of water. The precipitate is extracted with ether, the ethereal solution shaken with dilute sodium carbonate solution and water and evaporated. It is also possible to debrominate the brominated ketone by heating a dry solution of it in benzene with an alcoholic solution of sodium iodide. In this case the solution is subsequently washed with aqueous sodium sulfite solution and water and evaporated.

From the crude product made by one or the other of these methods may be obtained, for

instance by recrystallizing it from hexane or by sublimation in a high vacuum or by both methods, or by means of the sparingly soluble semicarbazone, the A -androstene-trans-ol-( 17) -benzoate of melting point 193-194 0.

- zoate may be converted into By saponiflcation with alcoholic potash this benthe free oxyketone. namely-A -androstene-transeol- (17) -one- (3) of the formula Into 1 liter of ethyl alcohol which has been preheated to 30 C. there are introduced first 5 grams of A -androstene-3:17-diol-3-acetate-17-benzoate of the formula HaC I H cmc 0.0 of melting point 178-180 C. and then one molecular proportion of an ethyl alcoholic potash solution (containing 0.64 gram of potassium hydroxide) and the whole is thoroughly stirred for 4 hours at the aforesaid temperature. The solution is neutralized (the quantity of alkali consumed amounting to about 10 per cent.) and then highly concentrated in a vacuum and the crude product is shaken with water and ether, the ethereal solution is separated and evaporated. By crystallizing the residue from isopropyl ether A =-androstene-3 l7-diol-17-benzoate is obtained in the form of brilliant needles of melting point 222223 C.

This mono-ester is oxidized with chromic acid, after bromination in glacial acetic acid, in a manner analogous to that described in Example 2. For debrominating the brominated ketone thus obtained the ketone is dissolved in benzene. the solution is carefully dried and then boiled for 3 hours in a reflux apparatus together with a solution of sodium iodide in absolute alcohol. The reaction mixture is poured into a sodium sulfite solution of 2 per cent. strength, the benzene layer which separates is removed, shaken further with a sodium sulfite solution and with a bicarbonate solution and then evaporated.

It is also possible to debrominate the bromifor oxidizing the androsteneiormula The crude A ='-androstene-3- -on e-17-olnzoate ottheiormula a thus obtained may be purified just as described in Example 4. t

In comparison with the use of a methyl alcoholic potash solution the use of an ethyl alcoholic potash solution considerably shortens the duration of the reaction. Propyl, butyl and amylasemec f acid, the precipitated crude product is extracted alcohols have also proved advantageous in this o1 meltingpoint 223 C. are heated in 100 cc. of

aeetic'acid or 90 per cent.strength for 8 hours onthe water-bath, and then allowed to stand overnight at room temperature The reaction product'is precipitated with water, pressed and dried in a vacuum over phosphorus pentoxide. By systematically treating it with benzine (boilj ing range 70-80 C.) itis separated into sparingly soluble and more easily soluble fractions; The sparingly soluble fractionis unchanged diol. By recrystallization of the more easily soluble fraction from dilute alcoholthere is obtained the 17 mono acetate of androstane diol (3:17) which melts at 192' C. This ester is oxidized in the manner described in Example 1, and it required the oxidation product is saponifled to yield androstane-ol-(17)-one-(3') oi. the formula OH: H

l mo

a or melting point 182" C.

of meltingpoint 182-183? C. and0.8 gram of acetyl chloride are brought to reaction in pyridine. The reaction mixture is poured into water. the pyridine is neutralized by additionot an with ether and the ethereal solution is washed and evaporated; Fractional crystallization of the residue from hexane yields pure A =-1'7-acetoxyandrostene-ol-Ci) of melting point 146-148 C.

The mono-ester so obtained is brominated, oxidized with chromic acid in glacial acetic acid and debrominated with zinc dust and acetic acid in the manner described in Example 2, whereby there is obtained the keto-ester, namely A androstene-ol-(l'l) -one-(3) -acetate 01 melting point 141 (2.. which it required can be converted by saponiflcation into the A =-androstene-ol- (17) -one-(3) of the formula f 4 V J o1 melting point C. a

x In an analogous manner by partial benzoylation instead of acetylation n -androstene-diol-(3:17) can be converted by way or its 17-mono-benzoate of melting point 222-223" C. into the A*= -androstene-ol-(17)-one-(3) -benzoate of melting point 194-195 C.; it required the latter can be converted by saponiflcation into the above described A -androstene-ol-(17) -one- (3) of melting point 155 C. l v

Example 8 2 grams of A =-androstene-3:l'l-diol-l'l-benzoate of the formula CHzH HIZJV of melting point 222-223 (2., obtainable as an intermediate product in the processes of Examples 4, 5 and 7, and 2 grams of copper powder are heated at 225 C. in a vacuum until evolution of gas has ceased. The mass is then treated with 20cc. 0! alcohol,.the solution filtered, the solid matter washed and the filtrate is poured into 200 cc. of water and extracted with ether. The ethereal solution is washed with sodium carbonate solution and water and evaporated. From the residue the A -androstene-o1-( 17) -one-(3) -benzoate of melting point193-194" Cris isolated, for example by re-crystallization from isopropyl ether and/ or sublimation in a high vacuum or by conversion into its sparingly soluble semi-carbazone. By saponiilc'ation with alcoholic alkali solution the benzoate is converted into the free oxy-ketone,

namely A =-androstene o1 (17) J-one-(S) oi the formula \CH H OH H10 the A =-androstene-3:17-diol may be used andconverted directly into the tree A -androsteneol-(1'7) -one-(3) Instead of copper another metal catalyst such as palladium, platinum, silver or the like can be used for the dehydrogenation.

Example 9 2 grams of androstane-3:l'l-diol-l'l-acetate of the formula on. n

O-GO-CHI 8O of melting point 192 C., obtainable as an intermediate product in the process 01' Examples 1 and 6, and 2 grams of cinnamic acid are dissolved in 100 cc. of glacial acetic acid and the solution is shaken while warm with a palladium catalyst.

fiWhen the reaction is at an end the catalyst is filtered and the filtrate is poured into 800 cc. of water and the liquid is extracted with ether. The ethereal solution is washed with water,- dried and evaporated in a vacuum. The residue is saponifled while warm with alcoholic alkali solution of 2 per cent. strength and the saponiflcation mixture is poured into water and the whole extracted with ether. The ethereal solution is washed repeatedly with sodium carbonate solution and then with water, whereafter it is evaporated in a vacuum. From the residue androstane-ol-(17)-one- (3) of the formula CH: H

of melting point 182 C. is obtained, for example by recrystallization and/or sublimation in a high vacuum, or by conversion into a sparingly soluble derivative. such as the semicarbazone or dinitrophenylhydrazone derivative.

Instead of a mixture of androstane-diol-I'I- acetate and cinnamic acid there may be used an androstane-3:17-diol-17-oinnamic acid ester, in which the 'hydroxyl group to be dehydrogenated and the hydrogen acceptor are united in the same molecule.

Example 10 3.06 grams oi. 17-methyl -.androstane-diol- (3:17) of the formula cm cHl OH Hi0 L no of melting point 185 c. are dissolved in 50 cc. or glacial acetic acid and, at room temperature, there is added in drops a solution of 0.8 gram o1 chromium trioxide in 50 cc. of glacial acetic acid.

The chromic acid is somewhat rapidly consumed; the whole isallowed to stand for 3 hours at room temperature, then poured into water and the product thus precipitated is dissolved in ether. The ethereal solution is washedwith dilute caustic soda solution and water and dried over anhydrous sodium suliate. From the strongly concentrated ethereal solution the 17-methyl-androstane-ol-(17) -one-(3) oi. the formula CH: CH1.

7 -on E o or an alkoxy-group.

Example 11 3.04 grams of A =-methyl-androstene-diol- (3:17) of the formula of melting point 202-204 C. are dissolved in 50 cc. of glacial acetic acid and mixed with a solution of 1.6 grams of bromine in 10 cc. of glacial acetic acid. To this solution there is added, by drops, one of 0.8 gram of chromium trioxide in 50 cc. of glacial acetic acid. After several hours standing at room temperature the whole is poured into water, the precipitated dibromide is filtered, washed and treated in glacial acetic acid solution with 3 grams of zinc dust. The filtered solution is then poured into water and the precipitated A -17-methyl-androstene-ol-(1'7) one- (3) of the formula is dissolved in ether. The washed and dried ethereal solution is evaporated and the residue recrystallized from dilute alcohol. Its melting point lies at 161-162 C.

Instead of glacial acetic acid, benzene for example may be used as solvent for the debromination.

In a similar manner A -androstene-ol-(17)- one- (3) of melting point C. can be obtained purification.

from A =-androstene-diol-(3:17) of melting point l82-183 C.

One may also start from compounds which are acylated in 17-position or substituted in another manner.

Example 12 2.88 gramsof androstane-dione-(3:17) of the formula of melting point 134 C. are dissolved in 30 cc. of methyl alcohol and into this solution there is gradually introduced, at boiling temperature, the

calculated quantity of sodium When reduction CH; B. A --0H H3O p 0V maybe separated from it with the aid of digitonin or by way of the semicarbazone and recrystallized from hexane or dilute alcohol for Example 13 2.86 grams of A -androstene-dione-(3:1'7) of the formula of melting point 173-174 C. are dissolved in alcohol and hydrogenated with the aid of a nickel catalyst. When the amount of hydrogen calculated for one molecule has been absorbed, hydrogenation is interrupted, the catalyst is filtered from the solution, and the latter is poured into 400 cc. of water. The mass is extracted with ether and the ethereal solution is washed with water and evaporated in a vacuum. The residue is esterified by heating for a short time with a few cc.-of acetic anhydride; the latter is then evaporated and the residue fractionally crystallized from dilute acetone. In this manner one obtains the A -androstene 01 (17)-one-(3)- acetate of melting point 141 C. By saponification the corresponding free oxy-ketone is produced, namely A -androstene-ol-(l7)-one-(3) of the formula CHa H K g O of melting point C.

The present application is a division of our application Serial No. 159,432, filed August 16, 1937, 1

(now U. S. Pat. No. 2,308,834, granted Jan. 19, 1943), whichitself is a division of our application Serial No. 85,437, filed June 15, 1936 (now U. S. Pat. No. 2,308,833, granted Jan. 19, 1943).

What we claim is:

1. A member of the group consisting of the 3- hydroxy-l7-acyloxy-androstanes and the 3-hydroxy-17 acyloxyandrostenes.

2. A A =-3-hydroxy-17-acyloxy-androstene.

3. The A -androstene-3:17-diol-1'7-benzoates.

4. The A =-androstene-3:17-diol-l7 benzoate of melting point 222223 C.

5. The A =-androstene-3:1'7-diol-1'7-acetates.

6. The A -androstene-3:17-diol-17-acetate of melting point 146-148 C.

LEOPOLD RUZICKA.

ALBERT WETISTEIN. 

